An amusing internet prank takes a serious and almost deadly turn when the unsuspecting jokers have a gun pointed at the backs of their heads.

Twins Jeremy and Jason Holden, who run prank YouTube channel Twinz TV , thought it would be a good idea to try and start fights in Compton wearing nothing but mankinis.

Titled "How to Win a Street Fight in Compton" the stunt has the desired effect, as a series of tough looking men flee in bewilderment the second the twins strip off to reveal the swimwear inspired by Sacha Baron Cohen's Borat character .

Most of the victims seem to see the funny side, as laughter can be heard and several are seen smiling as they realise they're being pranked.

But the final clip has a dramatic and shocking twist.

A series of baffled men run as the twins strip down to mankinins for a 'fight' (Image: YouTube / TwinzTV)

Most of the victims realise they're being pranked (Image: YouTube / TwinzTV)

Boldly approaching a large group of men in the street, the pair ask them: "Which one of you motherf****** want their skull kicked in?"

Immediately, a man in a red jacket breaks away from the group and walks out of shot, reaching for something in his pocket.

Just as the twins pull off their shirts, the man re appears behind them, pointing a gun just inches from their heads.

But one man thinks it's all too real (Image: YouTube / TwinzTV)

Oblivious to the gunman, the pranksters chase after the rest of the group as the would-be shooter runs off in the opposite direction.

It's only after the prank is finished the twins realise what happened.

"That's the scariest f***ing thing I've ever been through," says one of the pranksters.